Both directions of State Route 167 are now closed again between South 212th Street (milepost 22) in Kent and 15th Street Northwest (milepost 16) in Auburn due to rising floodwater from the Green River.
Washington State Department of Transportation had reopened the southbound lanes for several hours Monday morning, Dec. 15 after placing hundreds of sandbags along the shoulder. As of 10 a.m., Monday, the southbound lanes were closed again.
On- and off- ramps also are closed at the following locations due to this closure:
• South 212th Street on-ramp to southbound SR 167
• 84th Avenue South/Central Avenue North on-ramp to southbound SR 167
• SR 516 on-ramp to southbound SR 167
• SR 18 on-ramp to northbound SR 167
• 15th Street Northwest on-ramp to northbound SR 167
• South 277th Street on-ramp to northbound SR 167
WSDOT is closely monitoring flood conditions near the Green River. As of Monday morning, Dec. 15, floodwater remains across the northbound SR 167 lanes near South 269th Street in Kent. There is a potential at this time for floodwaters to cross into the southbound lanes.
There is no estimated time to reopen lanes or ramps along this 6-mile stretch of SR 16, according to WSDOT.
“Conditions are changing rapidly, and we are monitoring closely with our local, county and federal partners,” according to WSDOT. “Crews are standing by in this area to respond as conditions allow. We will reopen this section of highway as soon as it is safe for travel.”
WSDOT advises people to seek alternate routes during the ongoing closure, add extra time to their commute and expect delays along Interstate 5 and other northbound routes.
The southbound lanes were open for several hours Monday morning.
“Our crews worked around the clock through the weekend to assess the situation and develop plans to reopen the highway,” according to WSDOT.
On Sunday, Dec. 14, crews placed hundreds of oversized sandbags to redirect floodwaters away from northbound SR 167. These response efforts continued through the night and into Monday morning, Dec. 15.
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